Manifolding machine



July 8, 1941. F. R. FORD MANIFOLDING MACHINE Filed Sept. 5, 1959 s'sneet's-sheet 1 fax/Wd July 8, 1941. F. R Fol-n 2,248,046

MANIFOLDING MACHINE Filed Sept. 5, 1959 3 Sheets-Shet 2 mu, ggf/r M v July s, 1941. F, R, FORD Y 2,248,046

MANIFOLDING MACHINE- Filed Sept. 5, 1969 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 AH'ornat/ 5,

Patented July 8, 1941 MANIFOLDlNG MACHINE Frank Ronald Ford, Sparkbrook, Birmingham,

England,

7 Claims.

This invention relates to manifolding machines in which a copy sheet and a master sheet bearing in reversed script the matter to be produced are passed in pressure contact between a pair of rollers, the leading edge of said'master sheet being secured to one of said rollers (hereinafter termed the cylinder) and said copy sheet being mostened before contact therewith. l

The invention has particular reference to machines of the type described in Letters Patent No. 1,982,071, issued November 27, 1934, to Alfred Oser. In such machines, the spindle of the second roller (hereinafter termed the pressure roller) is supported in bearings which are slidably mounted on the machine frame, these bearings being operatively connected to crank arms on a shaft which can be oscillated to move the pressure roller out of contact with the cylinder Whenever it is desired to attach a master sheet to the latter.

The moistening of the copy sheet is effected, in machines of the type aforesaid, by means of a stationary moistening pad extending transversely of the machine and against which the copy sheet is pressed by means of a pressing member carried by pivoted levers, such levers being oscillated so as to raise said pressing member at a predetermined point in the rotation of the cylinder to enable a fresh copy sheet to be fed to the nip between the cylinder and the pressure roller.

To indicate to the operator of the machine the precise moment at which a copy sheet should be fed to the nip for correct register with .the master sheet, it is usual to provide automatic means whereby the cylinder is checked or momentarily stopped once in each revolution.

'Ihe chief object of the present invention is to provide improved means for effecting individual adjustment of the pressures exerted on the cylinder by the ends of the coacting roller when the latter is in engagement therewith, and also for eifecting the raising of the pressing member in relation to the stationary moistening pad.

Referring to the drawings- Figure 1 is a side elevation of a duplicating machine embodying the present invention,

Figure 2 is a part-sectional plan View of the same,

Figure 3 is a view corresponding to Figure 1, but taken from the opposite side of the machine,

Figures 4 and 5 are sections on the lines 4-5 and 5-5, respectively, of Figure 2,

Figure 6 is a sectional side elevation, to an enlarged scale, of the cylinder of the machine.

assigner to Frank R. Ford Limited, Birmingham, England Application september 5, 1939,

In Great Britain September 30,

Serial No. 293,519 1938 In the construction of duplicating machine illustrated, the general arrangement of the appa.- ratus is similar to that described in Letters Patent No. 2,048,543, issued to me July 21, 1936.

The frame of the machine comprises sheet metal side plates I0 secured together in spaced relationship by suitable tie-rods II and also by end plates I2 and a b-ase plate I3 which are attached to marginal flanges I4 on the side plates I!) so that a box-like structure is produced.

Mounted between the side plates I0 and extending transversely of the machine is disposed an impression cylinder I5 having means for attaching thereto one edge of a master sheet I6. Preferably this cylinder I5 is constructed from a length of seamless tube which is closed at its ends by flanged sheet metal discs Il welded or otherwise secured in place. A supporting shaft I8, which is journalled in the side plates Ill, passes centrally through these end discs I1 and is riveted at I9 to sleeves 2Q having peripheral flanges 2l which are attached to said discs.

The attachment of the master sheet IS to the cylinder I5 is effected by means of a mechanical clamp which may operate substantially as described in my prior patent aforesaid.

The cylinder I5 is formed with a longitudinal slot 22, immediately adjacent which there is disposed, within the cylinder I5 and extending along the length thereof, a clamping member 23 journalled in the end discs I1.

This clamping member 23 takes the form of a rod vwhich is longitudinally slotted or grooved at 24, and one end of which projects through g the adjacent end disc I'I of the cylinder I5, this projecting end having fixed thereto an actuating member 25 which may be oscillated to bring the slot or groove 2li in Jthe clamping member 23 into or out of register with the cylinder slot 22. The actuating member 25 locates the member 23 against axial movement in one direction, Whilst movement thereof in the other direction may be prevented by a washer 25 which is secured to the opposite end of the member 23 by a screw 21 and engages the adjacent end disc I1.

In one position of the clamping member 23, the leading edge of a master sheet IS may be passed through the cylinder slot 22 into the slot or groove 2l! of the member 23, and may then be clamped by partially rotating the latter. The actuating member 25 associated with the clamping member 23 conveniently comprises a collar having marginal lugs or projections 28 which facilitate its movement by hand, the edge of the collar having angularly spaced notches 29 therein which are engageable by a spring detent 30 to define the two extreme positions of the clamping member 23.

Above the cylinder |5 and parallel thereto is mounted a pressure roller 3|, the spindle 32 of which is journalled at its ends in bearings which are slidable on the side plates I of the machine so that the pressure roller 3| can be moved towards or away from the cylinder axis.

Each of these bearings may comprise a block 33 mounted in a suitable guide 34 on the adjacent side plate I0 and attached to each such block 33 at its upper end is a screw-threaded rod 35 extending longitudinally of the directionl in which the block 33 is slidable.

By means of these screw-threaded rods 35 the bearing blocks 33 are operatively connected to crank arms 36 on a rock shaft 31 dispo'sed'trans` versely of the machine, at one side of and above' the pressure roller 3|, each such crank arm. 36 preferably being arranged adjacent the inner face of the adjacent side plate I in which 'the' rock shaft 31 is journalled.

An operating lever38 is also secured to thev rock Ashaft externally of the side plate the` arrangement being such that, by oscillation of this handle 38, the roller 3| can be brought into pressure contact with the cylinder I or raised therefrom to allow attachment of the master sheet I6 tothe latter.

The operating lever 38 is adapted to be retained in at least `one of its extreme positions (for example, in the position to which it has to be moved to bring the roller 3| into contact with i the cylinder) by means of a spring-pressed ball or other detent 39 carried thereby and arranged to c'o-operate with a recess 40 in a plate 4| on the exterior of the machine. Preferably the detent 39 and its spring 42 are mounted within a handle 43 associated with the operating lever 38,' but it will -be understood that the arrangei ment maybe reversed if desiredand the detent 39 carried by the side plate I6 of the machine.

i A Vsecond recess may be provided if. desired, to define the other extreme position of the lever 38.

Each of the screw-threaded rods 35 passes through av clearance hole 44 in the adjacent on each threaded rod 35 below the associated arm 36, said nut, when screwed. up, exerting pressure on the latter through the medium of ian interposed helical compression spring 46 'Ihe nut 45 may 1 be locked in its adjusted position by a second nu-t.

which encircles the rod 35.

Alternatively, an arrangement similar to that The latter may pass Further nuts 41 are provided on the threaded rods 35,-above thecrank arms 36, which latter lare pressed against Vthese nuts 41 by the springs 46. 3curved as shown, sothat the rods 35 shall be `'substantially .normal to such surfaces during Theupper faces of the arms 36 may be angular movement of the rock shaft 31.

The springs 46 on the threaded rods 35 ensure la resilient pressure between the roller 3| and the cylinder |5 when the two are brought into with the rock shaft 31, and the nuts enable such pressure to be regulated as desired. The provision in this manner of independent adjusting means at the opposite ends of the roller spindle 32 enables the pressure at the ends of the roller 3| to be controlled individually.

Also arranged between the side plates I6 of the machine is a tank 48 holding a moistening fluid which is fed by wicks 49 to a moistening pad 50 in a carrier 15 formed integrally with or attached to the tank 48.

This tank 48 is supported on the side plates I6 byY means of screws 5| which engage threaded socketsA 52v in opposite sides of the tank 48 and each of which rests in a hollow boss 53 inside the adjacentside plate. The screws 5|v may carry .lock nuts 54 adapted to engage the inwardly projecting bosses 53.

crank arm. 36. '.An adjusting nut 45 is mounted `Contact by oscillation of the crank arms 36 along 75 The pad carrier 15 comprises a bracket whose free edge is disposed adjacent the nip between the cylinder 5 and the pressure roller 3| and which rests on a rigid support, the. latter being conveniently constituted by one of the tie-bars connecting the side members of the frame. Above the moistening pad 49 is a pressing member 55 extending transversely of the machine, the ends of this member being carried by a pair of levers 56 which are pivotally mounted on the side plates I0. 1

Normally the pressing member 55 is raised above the moistening pad 5|! to enable a copy sheet 51 to be fed to the nip between the cylinder 5 and pressure roller 3| a pile of such sheet-s being carried by a suitable table 58 arranged at,oneV end' of the machine. Rotation of the Vcylinder I5, however, is arranged to effect the lowering of the pressing member 55 on to the moistening pad 50.

The pressing member 55 is maintained in its normal raised position by means of cams 59 engaging the levers 56 which carry said member, these cams 59 being at or adjacent the ends of a rock shaft 56 extending transversely of the machine and parallel to the common axis of the leversv 56.

VWhen the pad carrier 15 is supported upon a transverse tie-bar of the machine as aforesaid, the rock shaft 6|] may comprise a tube mounted on such bar and preferably cutaway as at 6| to allow the pad carrier 15 to rest on the latter. Alternatively, the rock shaft 60 may itself act as the support for the pad carrier 15.

At one Vend of the rock shaft 60 is fixed an arm 62 which extends downwardly therefrom adjacent the inner face of the side plate l0 and at the end of .this arm r62 is a pin 63 (preferably carrying a roller 64) which projects through an arcuate slot 65 inthe side plate IIJ.

One end of the shaft |8 on which the cylinder |5 is mounted projects through this side plate I0 and carries a crank handle 66 whereby the cylinder I5 may be rotated, a cam surface 61 on this handle co-operating, at each revolution of the latter, with the projecting pin 63, or roller 64 aforesaid.

Means are provided for checking or momentarily stopping the rotation of the .cylinder l5 when the angular position of the clamping member 23 thereon with reference to the cylinder axis is such that a copy sheet fed to the nip between the pressure roller 3| and cylinder |5 will register correctly with a master sheet I6 clamped to the latter. As illustrated, such means comprise a spring-controlled detent 68 mounted in a housing 69 associated with the handle 66 and adapted to co-operate with a recess 10 in a plate 1| attached to the a-djacent side of the machine.

The cam surface 61 on the crank handle 66 makes contact with the projecting pin B3 or roller 64 just prior to the checking of the cylinder l5 as above described, so that, as the spring-controlled detent 68 or other means comes into operation to check the cylinder, the rockshaft 60 is oscillated and the cams 59 thereon raise the pressing member 55 clear of the moistening pad 50 ready for the insertion of a copy sheet 51.

If rotation of the crank handle 56 is then continued, the cam surface 51 thereon will ride past the pin 63 or roller 64 aforesaid and the springs 12 acting on the pressing member 55 will bring the latter down upon the inserted copy sheet 51 so as to press it against the moistening pad 50.

The cam surface 61 may be provided on a hardened linger 13 which is secured to the inner side of the handle 66, the end of such finger preferably being rounded or bevelled so as to slip easily past the projecting pin 63 or roller 64 of the moistening mechanism. Alternatively, the cam surface 61 may be formed on an integral part of the handle 66.

The copy sheets, on delivery from the machine may pass in known manner down a chute 14 at the end remote from the feed table 58.

What I claim then is:

1. A manifolding machine comprising a stationary frame, a rotatable cylinder, means for attaching a master sheet to said cylinder, a roller co-operating with said cylinder and adapted to bring a moistened copy sheet into pressure contact with the master sheet on said cylinder, bearings supporting the ends of said roller and mounted on said frame for sliding movement towards or away from said cylinder, an oscillatable shaft carried by said frame, crank arms fixed on said shaft, screw-threaded rods carried by said bearings and extending through openings in said crank arms, nuts screwed on said rods and co-operating with the sides of said crank arms nearest said bearings to enable individual adjustment of the pressures exerted on said cylinder by the ends of said roller.

2. A manifolding machine comprising a stationary frame, a rotatable cylinder, means for attaching a master-sheet to said cylinder, a roller co-operating with said cylinder and adapted to bring a moistened copy sheet into pressure contact with the master sheet on said cylinder bearings supporting the ends of said roller and mounted on said frame for sliding movement towards or away from said cylinder, an oscillatable shaft carried by said frame, crank arms fixed on said shaft, screw-threaded rods carried by said bearings and extending through openings in said crank arms, nuts screwed on said rods and co-operating with the sides of said crank arms nearest said bearings to enable individual adjustment of the pressures exerted on said cylinder by the ends of said roller, compression springs interposed between said nuts and the crank arms co-operating therewith.

3. A manifolding machine comprising, a stationary frame, a rotatable cylinder, means for attaching a master-sheet to said cylinder, a roller co-operating with said cylinder and adapted to bring a moistened copy sheet into pressure contact with the master sheet on said cylinder, bearings supporting the ends of said roller and mounted on said frame for sliding movement towards or away from said cylinder, an oscillatable shaft carried by said frame, crank arms xed on said shaft, screw-threaded rods carried by said bearings and extending through openings in said crank arms, nuts screwed on said rods and cooperating with the sides of said crank arms nearest said bearings to enable individual adjustment of the pressures exerted on said cylinder by the ends of said roller, abutments provided on said rods at the sides of said crank arms remote from said bearings, compression springs resting on said nuts and acting to press said crank arms against said abutments.

LA manifolding machine comprising, a stationary frame, a rotatable cylinder, means for attaching a master-sheet to said cylinder, a roller co-operating with said cylinder and adapted to bring a moistened copy sheet into pressure contact with the master sheet on said cylinder, bearings supporting the ends of said roller and mounted on said frame for sliding movement towards or away from said cylinder, an oscillatable shaft carried by said frame, a lever fixed to said shaft, va detent for locating said lever in at least one angular position, crank arms fixed on said shaft, screw-threaded rods carried by said bearings and extending through openings in said crank arms, nuts screwed on said rods and co-operating with the sides of said crank arms nearest said bearings to enable individual adjustment of the pressures exerted on said cylinder by the ends of said roller.

5. A manifolding machine comprising, a stationary frame, a rotatable cylinder, means for attaching `a master sheet to said cylinder, a roller co-operating with said cylinder and adapted to bring a moistened copy sheet into pressure Contact with the master sheet on said cylinder, bearings supporting the ends of said roller and mounted on said frame for sliding movement towards or away from said cylinder, lan oscillatable shaft carried by said frame, a lever fixed to said shaft, a spring-loaded member carried by said lever and adapted to co-operate with at least one recess in said frame to define the angular' position of said shaft, crank arms fixed on said shaft, screw-threaded rods carried by said bearings and extending through openings in said crank arms, nuts screwed on said rods and cooperating with the sides of said crank arms nearest said bearings to enable individual adjustment of the pressures exerted on said cylinder by the ends of said roller.

6. A manifolding machine comprising, a stationary frame, a rotatable cylinder, means for attaching a master-sheetl to said cylinder, a roller co-operating with said cylinder and adapted to bring ya moistened copy sheet into pressure contact with the master sheet on said cylinder, a stationary moistening pad extending transversely of the machine, a pressing member adapted to press said copy sheet against said moistening pad, a container for said moistening pad, a rigid tie-bar connecting the sides of said frame and supporting said pad container, levers pivoted coaxially at opposite sides of said frame and carrying the ends of said pressing member, a tubular shaft mounted on said tie-bar, cams on said shaft each adapted on oscillation of the latter to raise or lower one of said levers, an arm on said shaft, a driving crank operatively connected to said cylinder, and co-operating with said arm at each revolution in a manner to oscillate said shaft.

'7. A man ifolding machine comprising, a stationary frame, a rotatable cylinder, means for attaching a master-sheet to said cylinder, a roller ceo-operating with said cylinder and adapted to low engagement of the latter by said pad container, cams on said shaft each adapted on oscillation of the latter to raise or lower one of said levers, an arm on said shaft, a lateral projectiii on said arm, a driving crank operatively con' nected to said cylinder and having a cam surface adapted at each revolution to act on said projection in a manner to effect the raising of said pressing member, a spring-controlled detent associated With said crank and adapted to check said cylinder Whilst said pressing member is raised.

FRANK RONALD FORD. 

